COP16: Will Financial Barriers Impede Biodiversity Conservation?

GS 3: Environment and Biodiversity: Convention on Biological Diversity

Why is it in the news?

• The 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the N. Convention on Biological Diversity was recently held in Cali, Colombia, where nations convened to discuss strategies for halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030—a crisis threatening human well-being and societal stability.
• Financial commitments and responsibility-sharing were central topics, as Indigenous peoples and local communities actively participated. However, COP16 highlighted concerns about meeting the ‘30×30’ target, aimed at conserving 30% of global land and oceans by 2030. The question remains whether financial constraints will impede meaningful progress.

Notable COP16 Achievements

• A major milestone was the formation of an inclusive decision-making body that incorporates Indigenous people and local communities, ensuring their voices and traditional knowledge are integral to biodiversity policies.
• This agreement aims to protect Indigenous practices and strengthen their participation in conservation. COP16 also recognized the conservation role of people of African descent, integrating their knowledge into biodiversity frameworks.
• Another significant outcome was the establishment of the “Cali Fund,” which requires corporations, particularly in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors, to contribute 0.1% of revenue or 1% of profits derived from genetic resources to the fund.
• Projected contributions could exceed $1 billion annually, with half of the funds directed to Indigenous communities to support conservation and acknowledge their contributions. Although participation is voluntary, the Cali Fund represents a critical step toward equitable financial benefit-sharing.

Addressing Biodiversity Threats

• COP16 also focused on combating invasive alien species, a major driver of biodiversity loss, by introducing guidelines for improved databases, trade regulations, and e-commerce coordination. These measures aim to support developing nations through technical assistance and international cooperation.
• Additionally, COP16 renewed efforts to identify and protect Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs), previously hindered by political and legal obstacles, emphasizing the need for ocean conservation.
• The conference adopted a ‘One Health’ approach via the Global Action Plan on Biodiversity and Health, which connects ecosystem, animal, and human health to prevent zoonotic diseases, reduce non-communicable diseases, and sustain ecosystems.
• This approach encourages partnerships among health professionals, conservationists, and policymakers to create tracking tools and measures for biodiversity-health initiatives.
• Synthetic biology was also discussed, addressing the potential of bioengineered species for restoration alongside the ecological risks involved. COP16 explored regulatory frameworks to balance innovation with ecological protection.

Challenges and Financial Impasses

• Despite these achievements, financial challenges loomed over COP16. Securing the $700 billion needed annually for the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) proved contentious.
• Developing nations advocated for a dedicated global fund, while wealthier countries resisted, arguing that existing mechanisms were sufficient. As a result, COP16 raised only $163 million in pledges, far short of the $30 billion needed from developed countries by 2030. This financial impasse stalled progress on fund governance, threatening the GBF’s objectives.
• A lack of strong monitoring frameworks emerged as another critical challenge. Although 196 countries committed to the GBF, only 44 have submitted updated National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) for a ‘global stocktake.’
• Without mandatory enforcement, these plans risk losing effectiveness, weakening the commitment to biodiversity goals.

India’s Strategy and Commitments

• India presented its updated NBSAP at COP16, outlining a vision for biodiversity conservation that aligns with the GBF.
• India’s strategy emphasizes a transformative “Whole-of-Government” and “Whole-of-Society” approach to achieve biodiversity targets by 2030, with a long-term goal of harmonious coexistence with nature by 2050.
• Recognizing the challenge of balancing economic growth with conservation, India set 23 national biodiversity targets, focusing on ecosystem restoration, inter-agency collaboration, and community involvement in wetland protection and sustainable marine management.

Looking Ahead to COP17

• While COP16 made progress in establishing inclusive frameworks and benefit-sharing mechanisms, financial limitations and weak monitoring systems remain significant obstacles.
• As countries prepare for COP17 in Armenia, it is evident that biodiversity conservation is crucial for environmental, economic, and societal resilience. To meet global biodiversity commitments, governments must set ambitious, measurable goals and promote transparency in reporting.
• Collaborative, cross-border action will be essential to address the interconnected issues of biodiversity loss, pollution, and climate change. The outcomes of COP17 could be pivotal in determining the success of global conservation efforts.

 A Guide to COP29 Climate Summit Jargon

GS 3: Environment and Biodiversity: Climate Summit

Why is it in the news?

• As COP29 commences in Baku, Azerbaijan, terms like the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG), Paris Agreement, Kyoto Protocol, and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are prominent in climate discussions.
• This guide decodes key jargon essential for understanding the climate change dialogue.

UNFCCC

• This acronym stands for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which is the name of both the 1992 treaty committing nearly 200 countries to fighting global warming and the secretariat set up to implement that treaty.

COP: The Conference of the Parties

• COP, or the Conference of the Parties, is an annual UN-organized climate meeting involving 198 countries that have signed the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
• The treaty encourages these nations, referred to as “parties,” to take voluntary actions to mitigate “dangerous anthropogenic interference” with the climate system.

Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement

• The Kyoto Protocol, a treaty adopted in 1997, required wealthy and industrialized nations to cut greenhouse gas emissions. It took effect in 2005 and formally expired in 2020, with the Paris Agreement now serving as the primary global climate accord.
• Adopted in 2015 at COP21, the Paris Agreement aims to cap global temperature rise and legally binds 195 nations to climate action.

Temperature Targets: 1.5 Degree Limit

• In the Paris Agreement, countries committed to keeping global temperature rise “well below” 2°C compared to pre-industrial levels, with an aim to limit the rise to 1.5°C.
• Exceeding this threshold could lead to more extreme weather, including frequent droughts, heatwaves, and flooding.

Glasgow Pact and Carbon Markets

• The Glasgow Pact, introduced at COP26, was a landmark agreement calling for the reduction of coal use and a phased transition from fossil fuels.
• It also resolved carbon market deadlocks, allowing for the trading of carbon credits — a system where countries or companies earn credits for emissions reductions beyond their targets. These credits, equivalent to one tonne of CO₂ reduced, can be bought and sold to meet emissions goals.

Greenhouse Gases and Net-Zero

• Greenhouse gases (GHGs) trap heat in the atmosphere and are primarily emitted through burning fossil fuels.
• Achieving net-zero, or carbon neutrality, means balancing emissions with greenhouse gas removals, achieved through carbon sinks like forests or technologies like carbon dioxide removal (CDR). According to the IPCC, reaching net-zero by 2050 is critical to limiting global warming to 1.5°C.

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and Carbon Utilization (CCUS)

• CCS involves capturing CO₂ emissions from industrial sources and storing it underground to prevent atmospheric release.
• CCUS extends CCS by utilizing captured carbon in products like biofuels and concrete, offering a potential pathway for both climate mitigation and industrial innovation.

Geo-Engineering and the Role of IPCC

• Geo-engineering involves large-scale interventions in Earth’s systems to mitigate climate change. The effectiveness of various proposed techniques remains debated.
• The IPCC, the UN’s scientific authority on climate, assesses climate science, preparing reports on climate status and trends. Established in 1988, the IPCC’s assessments shape global climate policy and action.

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs)

• The Paris Agreement requires countries to submit NDCs — pledges outlining emissions reduction and climate adaptation plans, updated every five years to enhance ambition.
• NAPs help nations strengthen resilience against climate impacts, particularly through NDCs’ adaptation strategies.

New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) for Climate Financing

• From 2025, developed nations must raise the NCQG, surpassing the $100 billion annual climate finance pledge made for 2020.
• The NCQG, still being finalized at COP29, will fund climate action in developing nations, crucial for equitable global climate efforts.

Global Stocktake and Renewable Energy Goals

• The global stocktake is a five-yearly review where countries evaluate and enhance their climate progress.
• Meeting net-zero targets requires tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030, potentially avoiding 7 billion tonnes of CO₂ emissions and significantly reducing China’s power sector emissions.

Just Transition and Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR)

• A “just transition” seeks to shift to a low-carbon economy without harming workers or communities reliant on high-carbon industries.
• CBDR, a principle of international law, acknowledges varied national capacities to tackle environmental issues, as seen in the 1989 Montreal Protocol’s phased implementation for developing countries.

Loss and Damage

• “Loss and damage” refer to the irreversible impacts of climate events on vulnerable communities. A fund established at COP27 provides financial aid to disaster-hit nations.
• Officially launched at COP28, this fund highlights global commitment to climate justice as COP29 deliberates on mechanisms to enhance its impact.

National Education Day: Celebrating Maulana Azad, a Champion of Unity and Education

GS 1 and 4: History/Ethics: Significant Personalities

Why is it in the news?

• November 11 marks National Education Day, honouring Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, India’s first education minister. A journalist, freedom fighter, and senior Congress leader, Azad was deeply committed to Hindu-Muslim unity, a stance that often set him at odds with the Muslim League.
• Muhammad Ali Jinnah even labelled him a “Muslim showboy” of the Congress, reflecting their ideological clash.

Stand Against Partition and Rift with Jinnah

• Amid growing Hindu-Muslim divisions and the Muslim League’s demand for a separate Muslim state, Azad remained firm in his belief in communal harmony. He asserted that Indian Muslims could be proud of both their Muslim and Indian identities.
• This view was powerfully expressed in his 1940 Ramgarh speech, where he declared, “I am a Musalman and proud of the fact. … I am proud of being an Indian. I am part of the indivisible unity that is Indian nationality.”
• Azad’s stance directly opposed the League’s separatist agenda, causing friction with Jinnah. In 1940, Azad confronted Jinnah’s two-nation theory, to which Jinnah responded harshly, accusing Azad of not representing Muslim interests. Ironically, Azad, who was deeply religious, was more devout than the anglicized Jinnah.

Builder of India’s Educational Foundations

• Azad, as education minister, was instrumental in establishing key educational institutions, including the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), University Grants Commission (UGC), Jamia Millia Islamia, and Indian Institute of Science (IISc).
• Historian S. Irfan Habib notes that Azad increased the education budget from Rs 1 crore to Rs 30 crore, recognizing adult literacy as a critical need for India’s future.

Perspective on English Language in Education

• Initially, Azad advocated for moving away from English after Independence. However, by 1949, he acknowledged practical challenges, citing them in a Constituent Assembly speech. He pointed out the lack of a national language that could replace English and the absence of a common language spoken across India.
• Rushing to replace English, he argued, would lower educational standards and impact students’ academic capabilities negatively. Thus, he advocated for a balanced approach that preserved educational standards while gradually fostering indigenous languages.

The India-China Détente: Progress and Challenges

GS 2: International Relations: India-China Relations

Why is it in the news?

• On October 23, 2024, a surprise détente between India and China was formalized during a summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping at the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan.
• The subsequent exchange of sweets between Indian and Chinese soldiers at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) signified a thaw in relations after years of tensions. Both sides expressed a willingness to move past the bitter standoff of the past four years, with hopes for restoring peace, boosting trade, and easing restrictions on investments, visas, and flights.
• However, significant work remains in terms of military disengagement and resolving the lingering issues along the LAC.

An Analysis

Uncertainty Over Agreements and Patrolling Arrangements

• While disengagement in areas like Depsang and Demchok has been completed, troop de-escalation and verification on the ground are ongoing. There is no clear template or public details of the “patrolling arrangements” agreed upon, and reports suggest that Chinese troops may have been granted access to the Yangtse area in Arunachal Pradesh, which was previously a point of contention.
• The lack of clarity from the government is concerning, as this has been a recurring issue since the 2020 clashes at Pangong Tso and Galwan. The lack of transparency has contributed to widespread confusion regarding troop deployments, border rights, and the status of disputed territories.

Key Questions on the Future of the LAC

• Moving forward, there are several key questions that need to be addressed. Are the new patrolling arrangements genuinely new, or are they part of an updated status quo? If so, will India and China amend past agreements, such as the Border Defence Cooperation Agreement of 2013, to accommodate the changing reality?
• Another significant concern is whether India can avoid the situation that occurred after the 2017 Doklam agreement, where China resumed infrastructure building even after disengagement, making a return to previous positions easier for the Chinese.
• The most perplexing question that remains unanswered is why Chinese troops amassed along the LAC in 2020, and this issue needs further investigation.

Theories on China’s Actions

• Several theories have emerged to explain China’s aggressive actions along the LAC in 2020. The first is that it was part of a broader Chinese policy to assert control over every inch of its territory, a strategy that has been evident in other regions such as Taiwan and the South China Sea.
• The second theory suggests that China’s actions were a response to India’s growing strategic partnership with the United States, as well as India’s infrastructure development along the border.
• The third theory posits that China’s actions were a response to India’s military build-up, particularly in strategically sensitive areas like Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) and the construction of roads and bridges in border areas.
• The fourth and possibly most significant theory is that China’s moves were directly linked to India’s political changes in Jammu and Kashmir in 2019, especially the reorganization of the region and the assertion that India would reclaim Aksai Chin. This theory suggests that China was reacting to India’s actions with increased aggression along the LAC.

Diplomatic Détentes and Regional Developments

• The agreement with China came after a series of diplomatic steps taken by India, indicating a broader strategic shift. The first of these steps was the restoration of elections in Jammu and Kashmir, which could be followed by a rollback to Statehood and further constitutional adjustments.
• Another détente involved negotiations with Ladakhi protesters, who ended their hunger strike after assurances from the Home Ministry regarding discussions on demands for statehood, employment, and local representation.
• Finally, India also initiated dialogue with Pakistan through External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to Islamabad for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) conference, signalling potential for future engagements.
• However, no substantive agreements were reached with Pakistan, and it remains to be seen if this will lead to the lifting of trade and transport bans imposed in 2019.

Call for Transparency and Accountability

• If India aims to achieve lasting peace with China, it is crucial for the government to provide greater transparency about its strategy for the future of the region. This includes a thorough examination of the events at the LAC, a clearer understanding of the Chinese motivations behind the 2020 transgressions, and the lessons learned from the standoff.
• The government should move away from its reliance on surprise announcements and adopt a more transparent approach to avoid unnecessary confusion and ensure that citizens are informed of decisions that have significant consequences.
• While China may operate differently due to its one-party system, India, as a democratic nation, must take its citizens into confidence when making decisions related to national security and foreign relations.

AI’s Role in Sustainable Development for India

GS 3: Science and Technology: AI in Urban Sustainability

Why is it in the news?

• As India advances towards its economic goals, it is expected to see an influx of around 270 million new citizens into its urban areas over the next 20 years.
• This rapid urbanization presents significant challenges, highlighting the need to identify sustainable development pathways to fulfil the nation’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047—an India fully developed by its 100th year of independence.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) can play a crucial role in addressing challenges related to data collection, coordination, and urban management, ensuring the sustainability of India’s cities.

A Perspective

AI in Urban Management and Decision-Making

• Urban authorities currently face challenges when making decisions, such as whether to approve zoning changes in environmentally sensitive areas like wetlands. These decisions often rely on speculative arguments and limited data.
• AI-based decision support systems can simulate future scenarios, providing insights into how zoning changes could affect economic, environmental, and developmental outcomes.
• AI can also improve urban infrastructure, particularly public transport systems, by ensuring seamless last-mile connectivity to bus and metro services. With its ability to process data from multiple sources and assist in complex decision-making, AI can significantly enhance city management efficiency.

Government’s Commitment to AI in Urban Sustainability

• Recognizing the importance of AI in urban sustainability, the Government of India allocated Rs 990 crore in its 2023-24 Budget to develop and integrate AI-based systems in sectors like agriculture, health, and urban sustainability.
• This initiative is part of the broader ‘Make AI in India and Make AI work for India’ Three AI centres have been established, with one dedicated to urban sustainability.
• The Airawat consortium, led by IIT Kanpur, has been selected as the National Centre for AI for Sustainable Cities which will serve as a hub for AI research, education, and application in urban sustainability.

The Airawat Consortium and Its Focus Areas

• The Airawat consortium, which includes leading academic and industrial organizations in India, aims to apply AI to enhance urban sustainability.
• Over the next four years, Airawat will work on projects such as improving energy distribution networks, developing multimodal urban transit systems, creating decision support tools for traffic and infrastructure planning, and producing low-cost, high-precision air and water quality estimates for local governance.
• Additionally, Airawat plans to create digital twins for municipal functions, facilitating the digital transformation of local governance systems through AI.

Industry and Government Partnerships

• Airawat has received strong support from major Indian industries. Adani Industries is collaborating on enhancing energy distribution efficiencies, while Tata Consultancy Services is developing urban metabolism models to assess the impact of land use changes on air quality and flood risks.
• The e-Governance Foundation is co-developing the next-generation DIGIT platform for urban governance as part of Airawat’s activities.
• The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MOHUA) continues to provide oversight, ensuring that Airawat’s initiatives align with national urban development goals.

The Need for Timely Action in Sustainable Development

• As India aims to become a wealthy nation before facing demographic challenges in the next two decades, the urgency of sustainable development has never been greater.
• With significant ecosystem degradation caused by other countries’ economic growth and India’s reliance on non-renewable energy imports, it is critical to chart a sustainable development path that balances the needs of both current and future generations.
• AI-driven initiatives like Airawat are crucial for ensuring India can achieve its ambitious goals while minimizing environmental impact.

Vision for India’s Global Role

• By pursuing sustainable development, India has the opportunity to emerge as a global leader, reclaiming its historical role as Vishwaguru—a beacon of knowledge and hope for the world.
• Airawat’s initiatives aim to turn this vision into reality, ensuring India’s development trajectory remains sustainable and beneficial for future generations.
• By combining AI-driven innovation with a strong focus on sustainability, India can set a global example for other nations to follow.